Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

Method Statement Standard Equipment and Materials

General ▪ RD4000 / CAT3 CAT ▪ Excavator with hydraulic breaker attachment. This Method Statement details the procedure to be followed for the avoidance of ▪ Tape measure underground services and excavation of inspection pits in line with HS(G) 47 – Avoiding ▪ Glass sample jars, zip seal bags and bulk bags Danger from Underground Services. Personal Protective Equipment Site work will comprise of the excavation of test pits to a predetermined depth by means of a mechanical excavator. The work will be directed by an operative from IGL, ▪ Blue or white hard hat (mandatory) who will also act as banksman. ▪ Lace up safety Boots (mandatory) ▪ Orange High Visibility Jacket/Vest (mandatory) Tracked excavators will be delivered to site either by trailer or low loader, dependant on ▪ Orange High Visibility Over Trousers (for Network Rail Sites) their size, some wheeled excavators (e.g. JCB 3CX) are legal and will be driven to ▪ Ear Defenders (to be worn in accordance with noise assessments) site. ▪ Safety Glasses/Goggles (worn as per risk assessments) ▪ Gloves (mandatory) Within the upper 1.2m the trial pit should be advanced in minimal increments (<100mm) and the excavated surface examined for any signs of buried services. COSHH Mechanical breakers and concrete corers should only be used to penetrate hard standing and not over any known services. ▪ Diesel Oil:- to fuel diesel engine plant ▪ Lubricating oils and greases:- to lubricate plant and drilling tools where This Method Statement should be read in conjunction with the relevant Risk appropriate Assessments. ▪ Hydraulic Oil:- used in the hydraulic system to power the excavator

Personnel General Instructions

All work will be carried out by competent personnel who have received training in line All steps detailed in this Method Statement are to be completed sequentially, unless with the Company Training Policy. Specialist tracing equipment such as the RD8000 / otherwise instructed by IGL Operations Manager or Supervising Engineer. CAT4 Cable Avoidance Tool.

The operator of the machine will carry CPCS or similar accreditation of their competency to operate the specific plant required. The excavator supplier will be required to provide a plant safety certificate for the machine.

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 1 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

System of Work 8. Once complete the pit should be backfilled in reverse order and compacted with the 1. All available plans and other suitable information regarding underground and digger arm in 300mm maximum layers. Any water should be bailed out to avoid overhead services in the area of concern must be referred to when the work is slurrying of the planned and should be available on site when locating positions. (It should be noted that service connections from a main service to a building or street light may not be shown on drawings).

2. A visual inspection of proposed exploratory location must be undertaken to identify potential underground hazards. For example, locations should be relocated if they fall within line of two inspection covers or are in close proximity to other signs of service connections (e.g. telegraph poles).

3. Locations will be scanned by the trained operative with a Cable Avoidance / Detector Tool prior to commencement of excavation. If underground services are detected the Contract Manager/Supervising Engineer should be informed immediately and before continuing further.

4. Excavation work must be carried out carefully, following safe practices and in line with the Permit to Dig. Excavation must be completed in a controlled manner to prevent breakage of plastic or pipes not located by the CAT, and to allow observation of the material being excavated. Picks and digging bars should only be used with care to free boulders etc, and to break up hard layers. Excavated should be stockpiled adjacent to the pit.

5. CAT scanning for services must be continued at regular intervals (not more than 300mm) as the pit is progressed. If a service is detected the Contract Manager/Supervising Engineer should be informed immediately.

6. If a service is uncovered, work must stop, the service should be assumed live and the Contract Manager should be informed immediately.

7. The pit will be advanced to the required depth, samples must only be removed from the excavated heap. Manned entry to any unshored pit greater than 1.2m deep is strictly forbidden, no manned entry to a pit with unstable sides should be undertaken.

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 2 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

Assessed by: Shaun Gilbrook Approved by: Rob Marsh Hazard Specific - Risk Assessment No. 9 Signed: Signed:

Hazard/ Work Completion of Mechanically Excavated Trial activity Staff at Risk: Pits All Employees assessed: Issued Date: June 2019 Review Date: June 2021 Others at Risk: Sub Contractors, site visitors

CONTROL MEASURES REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE RISK: Work to be undertaken in accordance with the method statement. Where a site is operating a combination of working activities refer to all relevant/additional risk assessments

Ref Risk Rating Uncontrolled Risk rating Controlled Task Hazard Consequence Control Measures No L S R L S R

Purpose made fuel cans with spouts/separate funnel to be used. Use of Generators to sit in drip tray; all plant to be filled prior to the start of Spillage of Injury / contamination 1 Diesel/Petrol 4 5 20 the shift. Operators to wear gloves. Equipment to be sited away from 3 3 9 Diesel/Petrol fuel of site. Engines High watercourses where possible. Low Spillage kits to be on hand, and used to mop up leaks. Unit to be maintained. No fuel is permitted to be stored on site. Use trained, accredited operator (BDA/NVQ) Machine appropriately inspected. Moving parts 18 Check PPE of crew, helmets, gloves, safety boots 8 2 (hydraulic Bodily injury Minor to serious injury 3 6 2 4 High Maintain barriers where public have access Low movement) Use of hand signals to ensure operator is aware of any persons within slewing radius Exposure to fuels, Follow COSHH guidelines Skin, eye, breathing Hazardous lubes, 9 Use PPE – Including dust masks 4 3 damage, 3 3 2 2 substances cement, asphalt for Med do not expose skin Low undesirable ingestion reinstatement Practise good personal hygiene Check hole location for overhead services Electricity Fatality or serious 15 5 4 Electrocution 3 5 prior to positioning / tracking machine, maintain safe clearance, work 1 5 (overhead) burns Med Low in daylight

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 3 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

Ref Risk Rating Uncontrolled Risk rating Controlled Task Hazard Consequence Control Measures No L S R L S R Nausea, disease, Assess published information for previous uses of site ingestion of Provide appropriate PPE for Presence of Working in contaminated solids or 12 crew and engineers 6 5 contaminants contaminated fluids, 4 3 2 3 Med Practise good personal hygiene Low and gases ground possible breathing No consumption of food on site damage No smoking on site or suffocation Check services information Electrocution/explosi Excavate inspection pit by hand on, 16 8 6 Buried services Minor injury to fatality 4 4 Check location with “CAT” 2 4 leaks, possibly under Med Low Permit to dig pressure Briefing/training Review desktop information available and adopt safe excavation procedures. Unexploded 12 6 7 Excavations Injury 2 6 1 6 Ordnance Med UXO mitigation measures (including a specialist operative on site) Low only required if review of UXO desktop report deems it necessary; A UXO watching brief will be provided on site. Use appropriate barriers / signage to warn of open pits. 15 Open pits not to be left unattended. Avoid carrying large objects 5 8 Excavations Fall into pit Injury 3 5 1 5 High around pit, use of mobile phone and other distractions. Noncritical Low staff to maintain distance of >2m from pit edge. Noncritical staff to maintain distance of >2m from pit edge. Do not ever enter a pit of >1.20m depth without shoring and only 15 subject to Risk Assessment. 5 9 Excavations Collapse of pit sides Injury 3 5 1 5 High Avoid walking / Standing on long edge of pit. Low Any manned entry to be subject to dynamic assessment of stability of pit faces.

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 4 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

Severity

Likelihood

S = Severity L = Likelihood R = Risk

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 5 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed Standard Operating Procedure & RAMS – Mechanically Excavated Trial Pits

RISK SCORING TABLE

The following table provides a means of prioritising risk control actions and gives a guide The following guidelines should be used to determine the response that to ALARP levels. should be taken to manage the risk to an acceptable level.

Score Description Definition Multiple Risk Rating Response 6 Two or more fatalities Fatalities 5 Fatal Fatality (or Multiple Severe Injuries) High High Risks are not considered acceptable and measures must be in place to reduce the risk to a 4 Severe Fracture of major bone or skull medium or low level. If the risk cannot be reduced (or Multiple Loss of limb or eye then a detailed cost benefit analysis must be produced Major Injuries) Permanent loss of sight or hearing to show that additional controls are not reasonably Acute illness requiring medical treatment practicable and that the risk is ALARP. Unconsciousness requiring resuscitation Any injury leading to more than a month off work Medium Where possible reasonable measures must be 3 Major Injury Fractures (hand, wrist, ankle etc) introduced to reduce risks to a low level. If they cannot (or Multiple Unconsciousness be reasonably reduced then the decision as to accept Minor Injuries) Major burn this level of risk must be made by the professional Amputation of digits (fingers and toes) judgement of the review team. Temporary loss of sight or hearing

Any injury leading to between 3 days to a month off work Low Low risks are generally considered acceptable, 2 Minor Fracture of digits (fingers and toes) although minimal controls must still be in place to Strains and sprains ensure they remain at that level. Scratches, cuts, abrasions & bruising Minor burn General discomfort Minor ill health & Allergies Minor (temporary) illnesses (e.g. strain) Any injury leading to less than 3 days off work

Doc. No. SOP 09 – February 2020 6 of 6 This document is not controlled if printed